Marcus Johansson awarded a 1 year 3.75 Million Contract in Arbitration

 It has just been announced the Caps will pay Marcus Johansson 3.75 million next season for Marcus Johansson.

 MoJo had 20 goals and 27 assists in 82 games last year. It will be interesting to see where he plays next year. Personally I think it's a good deal and that Caps appear to have there team for the 2015-2016 next season unless a trade occurs.

Caps sign 2nd Round pick Jonas Siegenthaler to Entry Level Contract

 Today the Caps signed 2nd Round Pick Jonas Siegenthaler to his three year entry level contract.

 Siegenthaler played for Zurich of the Swiss league last season, in 41 games he had 3 assists. Also, he played for former NHL coach Marc Crawford. Siegenthaler must have impressed the Caps front office enough to earn his contract right away. From what I saw he is big and physical and I believe he will stay overseas but it is possibly we will see him in Hershey sooner rather than later.

Caps Top 10 Prospects: #10 Zach Sanford

 It's a new season and it's time for my second year version of the Caps Top Ten Prospects. My #10 top prospect is Boston College forward Zach Sanford. Sanford was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft. Last season was his first with the Boston College Eagles, and in 38 games he scored 7 goals and 17 assists.

  Sanford looked very good in the Prospect Scrimmage at this years development camp. Sanford played a good overall game. This year Sanford will return to the Eagles. One day I see Sanford as a possible third line forward with the potential to be a second liner. With is good size and decent speed, along with pretty good play along the boards. Overall, I liked what I saw from him a couple years ago when I saw him. However, when I watched him this year he looked like he has improved a lot. I expect a good year at Boston College this year.

(Video Below shows Sanford goal against Vermont, he is #24)

Eric Fehr signs with Pens

Long time Caps forward Eric Fehr moved on today signing a three year deal with the Penguins. 

Caps Re-sign Braden Holtby before Arbitration Decision

 Brian McClellan continues to have a good offseason as he was able to re-sign G Braden Holtby to a five year contract worth 6.1 million dollars per year. Holtby had a break put season last year and with Mitch Korn guiding him he has turned into an elite goaltender.

 Now that leaves the Caps with a little more money left but they still need to sign Marcus Johansson who is going to have an arbitration hearing soon. Holtby's camp wanted 6.5-8 million, while the Caps wanted about 5.5 per year. However, they settled at 6.1 which I believe is fair for each side.

Caps Re-sign F Chris Brown

  The Caps have re-signed forward Chris Brown to a two year two-way deal. Brown scored 17 goals for the Hershey Bears last season. In five games for the Caps Brown scored a goal. 

   In my opinion the Brown has a chance to make the Caps as an extra forward but will most likely be in Hershey. However, he will be on the mix for that spot but so is Stan Galiev, and Zach Sill just to name a couple. Overall I'm happy they retained him. Still waiting on Marcus Johansson and Braden Holtby who are going to arbitration. 

Caps sign Zach Sill

The Caps made a depth signing today signing forward Zach Sill to a one year two way contract. Sill has been in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization since the 2009-2010 season. 

  Last season Sill played in 63 games with the Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs scoring one goal and three assists. This adds a bottom six grinder to the team who plays with a little edge. Should be a Hershey guy but could make the Caps as a plug in on the 4th line. 

Caps Resign Evgeny Kuznetsov

 The Caps and RFA Evgeny Kuznetsov have agreed on a two year 6 million dollar deal worth 3 million per season.

  Kuznetsov scored 11 goals and 26 assists in 80 games in his first full season in the NHL. Kuzzy improved has the season continued but he shined in the postseason. This deal is a short term deal because it will be a bridge contract. Now the Caps only have Braden Holtby and Marcus Johansson, who both filed for arbitration. My hope is that they have those guys signed by the end of the week.

Joel Ward signs with the San Jose Sharks

 Joel Ward is moving on has he has signed a three year contract with the San Jose Sharks. This isn't too much of a surprise as the Caps have added Justin Williams and T.J Oshie. 

  The 4 years he was here he played well and I will always remember Game 7 in Boston in the 2012 Playoffs. 

Oshie, Williams, and Bourque to D.C

 The Caps have been busy the last couple days. First, late last night the Caps signed F Justin Williams to a 2 year contract. Williams was the Conn Smythe winner in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals and is a three time Stanley Cup winner. Last season he scored 18 goals and 23 assists.

 Today though the Caps made a big splash, trading Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley, and a third round pick to the St. Louis Blues for Team USA hero T.J Oshie. Oshie has 2 years left on his current deal at 4.1 million per year. Last season in 72 games Oshie scored 19 goals and 36 assists for the Blues. I love this deal because he can play on the top line.

One last signing from today as Chris Bourque a former draft pick of the Caps and a staple in the history of the Hershey Bears is back. Signing a 2 year two way contract. Probably means he will be playing for Hershey but is a good depth signing.

  Overall these moves have me very excited for this coming season. Brian McClellan has done a very good job so far. He has made the team better without overspending. Now we will have to wait and see when the deals for Braden Holtby, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Marcus Johansson get done which I expect something to break soon. The offseason is off to a good start.

Caps bring back Chris Bourque

Ok yet another signing as the Caps bring Chris Bourque back for a 2 year two way contract. Again will have another post later to dive deeper into the Caps busy couple of days. 

Caps get T.J Oshie

Caps trade Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley, and a 3rd round pick to the Blues for T.J Oshie.More to come on both moves later. 

Caps sign Justin Williams

 Quick update late last night the Caps signed 3 time Stanley Cup winner Justin Williams to a 2 year contract worth 3.25 million per year.

  Williams was a key member of the LA Kings runs to the Stanley Cup the last few years. I will have more on this later but this is a big signing for the Caps. 

Mike Green signs with the Detroit Red Wings

 Today Caps fans officially say goodbye to one of the best players in franchise history. Mike Green was  drafted with the #29 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. Eleven years and 575 games later he will move on to the next chapter of his career. Signing a 3 year contract worth 6 million per year with the Red Wings.

  Green scored 113 goals and 247 assists in his 10 years with the Caps. Last season, Green had 10 goals and 35 assists and a plus-15 rating. It's hard to see him leave because he was a key player in the Caps franchise turn around. The disappointing thing is that he will not raise the Cup in a Caps jersey. I remember being at Kettler for a practice and it didn't matter how many people were out there he would sign an autograph for everyone there. It is a business and it was time to move on, however I wish the best of luck to Greenie. Thank You!

Caps sign Taylor Chorney, Resign Stan Galiev

  The Caps started their Free Agent period today with first signing a possible #7 defensemen with signing 28 year old Taylor Chorney to a one year one-way deal worth 700,000.

  Chorney spent most of the year with the Wilkes Barrie/Scranton Penguins where in 64 games he had 4 goals and 15 assists with a plus-26 rating. Chorney played in 7 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and played in all 5 of their playoff games.
  The Caps also resigned Stan Galiev who had a breakout year with the Hershey Bears and looked good in two games he played with the Caps last season. The contract is a two year two-way deal worth 1.15 million. In 67 games with the Bears Galiev scored 25 goals and added 20 assists with a plus-5 rating.

*The Caps also made some depth signing for the Hershey Bears resigning D Mike Moore, and signing F's Carter Camper and Sean Collins. Also, adding D Aaron Ness.